Kashmiri Dum Aloo

My recipe for the day is a classic from Kashmir, the beautiful state in the north of India: Dum Aloo.

Although potatoes are the chief ingredient in Dum Aloo, it is not usually a vegan dish because it includes cream or yogurt, or sometimes both. While one can easily substitute the yogurt with soy yogurt, which works exactly like yogurt in cooked dishes, I prefer instead to use coconut milk and some lemon juice here. The creaminess of the coconut milk is perfect with the spongily delicious texture of the potatoes.

To achieve that texture, the potatoes are usually deep-fried first. I take a healthier shortcut: I marinate the potatoes in some simple spices and roast them in the oven, in their jackets. The baking cooks them and gives the potato skins a crunchy texture, which emulates the deep-frying without the fat, and works beautifully in the final dish. Perfect.

It’s Monday night, and it’s getting late, so here goes the recipe. Enjoy, everyone, and have a great week!

10-15 baby potatoes (If you can't find these, use the smallest potatoes you can find, and halve or quarter them. Then follow the rest of the recipe instructions). If using whole baby potatoes, poke them all over with a fork.

2 tsp canola oil

¼ tsp red chilli powder

¼ tsp turmeric

Salt to taste

1 cup coconut milk

½ chopped mint or coriander for garnish

1 tbsp lemon juice

For the masala:

1 tbsp

garam masala

½ tsp red chilli powder

½ tsp turmeric

1 tbsp coriander powder

15-20 almonds, soaked for about half an hour

1 tbsp grated ginger

½ tsp sugar

Instructions

Mix 1 tsp oil, ¼ tsp chilli powder, ½ tsp turmeric and salt to taste and toss the potatoes in the mixture. Place in a 400-degree oven and roast 30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through. (Pierce with a fork to test).

Grind together the masala ingredients with enough water to make a thick paste. Set aside.

Heat the remaining 1 tsp oil in a saucepan.

Add the ground masala and stir for a couple of minutes.

Add half the coconut milk and then the potatoes.

Once the sauce starts to bubble, turn the heat to the lowest setting and place a tight-fitting lid over the saucepan. Let cook 20 minutes. Add some water if the sauce dries up.

Add the remaining coconut milk, more salt if needed, and the mint/coriander leaves and lemon juice. Stir well and turn off the heat.

I love dum aaloo but don’t make it as it involvs deep frying. But I like your take on it, keeping the skin and baking. And I am sure coconut milk and almonds give richness and the creaminess. I will sure make this soon as I am getting nice yellow baby potatoes in my CSA bag soon.

Love the rich creamy texture as seen in the picture. Adding coconut milk is a great idea, and this recipe is perfect for the health-conscious:-)Those puris look so non-oily and I love the oh!-so-perfect colour!